Hard tube flaring tool



y 0, 1965 A. J. JANIK 3,195,337

I 1mm TUBE FLARING TOOL Filed April 18', 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

A TON J: JANIK BY)QW y 1965- A. J. JANI K 3,195,337

HARD TUBE FLABING TOOL Filed April 18, 1962 I {Sheds-Sheet z INVENTOR lwrorv .z JAN/K BY ym WW HTTOKIVEY July 20, 1965 A. J. JANIK 3,195,337

man Tim; FLARING moon Filed April 18. 19s; s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

fi 7' 01v J J/i/v/K a. 40. NW

ATTOIQNEY I foreign material.

United States Patent 3,195,337 HARD TUBE FLARING TOOL Anton J. lanilr, Elyria, Ohio, assignor to The Ridge Tool Company, Elyria, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 188,493

2 Claims. (Cl. 72-115) This invention relates to a tube flaring and burnishing tool and is an improvement over my co-pending application Serial No. 826,047, filed July 9, 1959, now Pat. No. 3,050,103, granted August 21, 1962.

Heretofore it has been common practice to provide tube flaring tools which usually comprise a clamping means for holding a tube to be flared and a flaring means which is advanced toward the clamping means to flare the end of the tube. Although theprior devices have provided satisfactory operation with the softer type of tubes, there are certain classes of tubing which are made of very hard material and as a. result are very difficult to flare. Previously various means has been proposed for rolling or burnishing the tube after it has been flared. There have, however, been difliculties in that frequently the flaring operation was omitted with the result that joints made by the flare were leaky due to the irregularities. Sometimes the tube was burnished too much and often not enough. By the present invention the buruishing or rolling of the flare is accomplished automatically and more nearly the exact right amount. Furthermore, by the present invention I am able to flare and burnish very hard tubing.

In the previous devices, it was not uncommon where the tube was very hard, for the frame which held the flaring means and the clamp means to be distorted due to the exercise of the high forces necessary to effect a flaring operation. By my improved construction I provide a stronger structure with lighter parts and the structure is so designed that, even with the hardest of tubing, it cannot be distorted. The working parts are all arranged so that they cannot become damaged due to the ingress of Furthermore the device, when assembled, is a unitary device with no separate parts that may be lost or which require assembling for performing a flaring operation.

Still other advantages of the invention and the invention itself will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which is illus trated by the accompanying drawings and forms a part of the specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the flaring tool;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view at 90 to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section;

FIG. 4 is a section taken from the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken from the line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view.

In its broader aspects the tube flaring tool of my invention contemplates a housing the upper end of which supports a tube flaring mandrel and the lower end supports a tube clamping means having flaring seats into which the tube is placed. The housing is arranged to completely surround the clamp means and therefore re sists distortion. The tube flaring means is connected to the upper end of the housing by a rotatable sleeve or bushing and the stem of the flaring mandrel is threaded through the sleeve. A lost motion means is provided between the sleeve and housing which enables the sleeve to rotate nearly two revolutions before it locks up with the housing after which it is held and the mandrel screw may be advanced to bring the flaring mandrel into contact with the end of a tube.

9 Ice The clamping means includes a pair of abutting clamping bars which have semi-cylindrical recesses in abutting faces and the outer face of each bar is provided with spaced detents, the centers of which lie on an axis passing through the center of the semi-cylindrical recesses and at right angles to the longitudinal axes of the bars. A pair of these detents is provided for each tube clamping recess. An index pin is mounted in one side of the housing body and is urged into one of the detents and a clamp screw is mounted in an opposite side of the body and may be moved into the other of the detents so that before flaring, during flaring and during burnishing, the mandrel will be centered relative to the tube.

More specifically, the tool of my invention includes a yoke housing having an upper portion 10 of reduced diameter and which housing flares out to an enlarged base A portion. The top portion houses the flaring means and the bottom the tube clamping means. The upper end of the body is provided with a first vertically extending bore in which a needle bearing 12 provides a journal for a bushing 15 which is internally threaded as at 17 and has a flange 18 on the lower end. A threaded mandrel operating stem 19 is in threaded engagement with the internal threads in the bushing 15. A handle 32 is secured to the stem 19 by a roll pin 33. The mandrel has a body 21 which is rotatably and slidably mounted in a needle bearing 22 which is seated in a counterbore 23 in the body 21. The body 21 is provided with a bore 24 :which is eccentric to the mandrel axis in which the stem 25 of the frusto-conical mandrel 26 is supported in needle bearings 27. A holding means which includes a spring ring 30 seated in an annular groove in the mandrel stem 25' and the bearing spacer 31. The bearings have a press fit with the .bore 24 and the spacer 31 engages the end of the upper bearing to hold the mandrel in position.

A thrust race 35 and bearing 34 are disposed between the flange 18 of the bushing and the shoulder formed by the bore 23 in the body 11.

A roll pin 36 is press fitted in a hole in the upper end of the body 11 and projects from the upper end to provide a stop. A floating ring, 37 is disposed around the bushing 15 and rests on the upper end of the housing. It has a lug 38 which projects outward radially from the ring. A projection 39 is formed in the lug 38 on the ring 37 and projects upward. A drive ring 40 surmounts the floating ring. It surrounds the bushing 15 and has an inwardly extending lug 42 which projects from the inner edge of the ring into .a longitudinally extending groove 43 on the exterior surface of the bushing 15. It also has an outwardly extending tongue 47 which is -arranged to contact the projection 39. A spring friction ring 44 surrounds the bushing 15 and engages the ring 49 and a cap 45 surrounds the bushing 15 and encloses the rings 37, 40 and 44, being spaced slightly from the upper end of the body 11. The bushing 15 has an annular groove therein adjacent to its upper end and a split ring retaining ring 48 is disposed in the groove to hold the cap 45 in place.

The tube clamping portion is substantially identical to the clamping means disclosed in my copending application except for an improvement which will be disclosed. The opposite exterior faces of both clamp bars 49 are provided with detents 55 and 56. The centers of the detents 55 and 56 lie on an axis passing through the center of the respective pairs of semi-cylindrical tube clamping recesses 52.

The lower end 11 of the yoke housing 10 is formed with a generally rectangular passage 70 for the slidable reception of the tube clamping bars. The sides of the passage are relieved at 70a and 70b, leaving clamp bar guiding portions at all four corners. The bottom of the housing is formed with a circular opening 71 which is coaxial flaring position.

spring 61 engages the detent and is held under compres- V sion by hollow cap plug 62 which is pressed into the bore 57. This enables the position of the clamp bars to be determined since the plunger 59 successively engages with one of the detents 55 as the'bars are slid inthe channel 70, enabling the bars to be quickly positioned with the tube opposite the flaring mandrel.

On the other side of the housing opposite the detent plunger the. housing is provided with a threaded bushing 73 in which the stem 62 of a clamp screw is threaded.

The clamp screw, has a handle 65 by which it may be turned and the end of the screw is provided with a point 64 for engagement in the detent 56.

The pair of bars have ditierent sized semi-cylindrical recesses .52 for accommodating difierent sizes of tubes, as shown in FIG. 4. For a more detailed description of the clamping mechanism reference to the abovementioned application may be made.

The operation of the daring and burnishing tool is as.

follows: The clamp barsare moved in the body until they are beyond the pivot center opposite to the divergingv Walls 51. They are now spread apart and a tube 67 is placed in one of the semi-circular recesses 52 with the end of the tube flush with the flared top of the recesses.

They are then brought together and held in engagement with the tube and the bars slid in the passage 70 until the index pin 59 is seated in the proper detent 55. This is facilitated by the passage 72 which allows the tube to be moved along with the clamp bars to the. prgper tube The handle 65 is then rotated clockwise until the pointed end 64 of the clamp screw 62 is seated in the detentSfi. The pin 59 and its associated parts assure that the tube will be properly positioned relative to the mandrel 26.v

The handle 32 is then rotated in a clockwise direction and the friction between the threads on the stem 19 and the threads 17 on the bushing 'cause the bushing to revolve. When the bushing revolves it carries with it the ring 49 because tongue 42 is disposed in the slot 43 in the bushing. The bushing 15 and ring 40 rotate together until the lug 41 on the ring 40 engages the projection 39 on the lug 38 of ring 37. The bushing 15 and rings 4%. and 37 then all rotate together until thelug SS on ring 37 engages the pin 36 in the body 11. At this time the bushing 15 eeasesto rotate. Continued rotation of the handle. 32 in a clockwise direction will move the stem 19 downward through the bushing 15 and will move the body 21 and the mandrelzd until the mandrel is in engagement with the end of the tube 67 and continued rotation of the handle in the same direction will result in the flaring of the tube against the bevel portion 54. This action is a rolling actionoi the mandrel around the edge of the tube due to the eccentric mounting of the mandrel.

After flaring, the handle 32 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. and 40 may now all rotate with the handle 32. due to the friction between the threads on the stem 19 and those in the bushing. The lug 38 on the ring 37 rotates counterthe handle 32 is turned nearly 720 with the mandrel 26 rolling against the fiared end of the tube 67, so that the flared end of the tube is rolled out smoothly and without any movement of the mandrel away from the flared end of the tube. Further movement of the handle'SZ in a counter-clockwise direction will cause the threads on the stem 19 to travel in the threads in the bushing 15 and cause movement of the mandrel 26 upwardly and away from the end of the tube 67.

It will be noted that the very high pressure of the mandrel against the tube may be exercised, thus extremely hard tubing may be flared It is also apparent that due to the closed end portion of the housing 11, there is no tendency for the lower parts of the yoke to spread apart as in the prior art devices. This closed feature is also useful in that the pressure of the clamp, screw 62 against the clamp bars and against the sides of the housing cannot distort the housing. Thus the housing may be made of considerably lighter materials than are normally requir ed, which decreases the weight and enables a more economical construction to be used.

The detent and plunger provide for a quick positioning of the clamp bars in the yoke.

The final burnishing or rolling operation is, automatic. The tube flare cannot be rolled too much and thus cause undue hardening. Furthermore it must be done in order to release the tube and therefore cannot be accidentally omitted. 7

When the mandrel has been raised free of the tube, the clamp screw 52 is rotated to release theclamp bars and the bars slid outwardly to'the-starting position, they are then spread apart and thefiared tube removed.

The ends of the clamp bars which are spread apart to receive the tube are also provided with a means to line the bars up with each other and which means also acts as a means to keep the clamp bars from being accidentally removed from the housing. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the clamp bar 49a is provided with a transverse recess or bore 80. The other bar 49 is provided with a bore having a large diameterat 82 and a small diameter bore 83 7 adjacent the bar49a. A locater pin is provided and com- The bushing 15 and the rings 37 clockwise nearly 360 until the lug engages the pin 36 on Y The bushing prises a rounded end which projects through the bore 83 and has a flange 85 that rides in the bore. 82. The pin is held in place by a bushing 86 which is pressed into the end of the bore 82. A spring 88 disposed between the flangeSS' and the end of the bore 82 holds the pin in the position shown.

As can be seen since the end of the. pin projects into the bore 30 in the bar 49a, the bars are held in alignment with each other. Also since the end 85a of the pin projects outwardly fromthe side of the bar 49, it engages with the side of the. housing adjacent the opening 70 and prevents the bars from being withdrawn from the housing. The other ends of the bars are provided with stop pins 99 which prevents the clamp from being removed in the other direction. The bars can be removed or inserted in the housing however by pressing the end 85a of the pin without compressing the springfis. I

Having thus described the invention in an embodiment thereof, it is appreciated that numerous and extensive departures maybe made therefrom without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A flaring .tool comprising a body provided wi-th an opening extending inwardly from one end thereof, a first ring having one face disposed adjacent to said one end of the body, a first interengaging means on the body and on the first ring engaging between 300 degrees and 360 degrees of rotation therebetweemva hollow member positioned in the opening in the body and projecting throughthe first ring and provided with internal threads, a second ring positioned on the member and having one face-disposed adjacent the other face of the first rin a second interengaging means on the first and second rings engaging upon relative rotation therebetween of 300 degrees and 360 degrees, a means for locking the second ring to the hollow member, means securing the hollow member and the first and second rings to the body, means positioned in the body for holding a tube one end of which is to be flared, a mandrel positioned in the body for flaring said tube and including a stem having a section thereof provided with internal threads in engagement With the internal threads in the hollow member and connected to the mandrel and providing friction between the threads on the stem and the hollow causing the hollow member to revolve and carry with it the second ring and the second ring rotating until the second interengaging means engages and the first and second rings both rotating until the first interengaging means engages and continued rotation of the stern causes the mandrel to engage the tube and flare it, and rotation of the handle in the opposite direction causing the member and the first and second rings to rotate in the same direction as the stem and the first ring rotating in the same direction as the stem until the first interengaging means engages and the first ring ceases rotating and the second ring and the member continuing to rotate in the same direction as the handle with the second interengaging means disen gaging until the second interengaging means again engages to hold the member and the first and second rings stationary to complete burnishing of said one end of the tube and continued rotation of the stem in said opposite direction causes the mandrel to move away from the second-named means and said one end of the tube.

2. A flaring tool comprising a body provided with an opening extending inwardly from one end thereof, a stop projecting from said one end of the body, a first ring having one face disposed adjacent to said one end of the body, a first lug secured to and projecting from the periphery of the first ring and having a projection extending from said one end of the body, a hollow member positioned in the opening in the body and projecting through the first ring and provided with internal threads, a second ring positioned on the member in interlocking engagement therewith adjacent the first ring and having a lug projecting from the periphery, means securing the rings to the body, means positioned in the body for holding a tube to be flared, a mandrel positioned in the body for flaring the tube and having a stem with external threads in threaded engagement With the internal threads in the member, the threaded engagement of the stem and member being such that upon rotation of the stem the friction therebetween causes the member to revolve and carry with it the second ring and the second ring arranged to rotate until the second lug engages the second pin on the first ring and the first and second rings both being arranged to rotate until the first lug on the first ring engages the stop on the body and continued rotation of the stem causing the mandrel to engage said one end of the tube and flare it, and rotation of the stem in the opposite direction causing the member and the first and second rings to rotate in the same direction as the stem and the first lug on the first ring rotating in the same direction as the stem until the first lug engages the first stop on the body and the first ring ceases rotating and the second ring and the member continuing to rotate in the same direction as the stem with the second lug on the second ring moving away from the second pin on the first ring until the second lug on the second ring again engages the second pin on the first ring to hold the member and the first and second rings stationary to complete burnishing of said one end of the tube and continued rotation of the stern in said opposite direction causing the mandrel to move away from the second-named means and said one end of the tube.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,132,947 10/38 Gagne l5379 2,169,790 8/39 Cattoi 153-79 2,773,539 12/56 Franck 153-81 3,050,103 8/62 Janik 153-81 6,052,279 9/62 Co lin et a1 15 3--79 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

WHIT MORE A. WILTZ, Examiner. 

1. A FLARING TOOL COMPRISING A BODY PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM ONE END THEREOF, A FIRST RING HAVING ONE FACE DISPOSED ADJACENT TO SAID ONE END OF THE BODY, A FIRST INTERENGAGING MEANS ON THE BODY AND ON THE FIRST RING ENGAGING BETWEEN 300 DEGREES AND 360 DEGREES OF ROTATION THEREBETWEEN, A HOLLOW MEMBER POSITIONED IN THE OPENING IN THE BODY AND PROJECTING THROUGH THE FIRST RING AND PROVIDED WITH INTERNAL THREADS, A SECOND RING POSITIONED ON THE MEMBER AND HAVING ONE FACE DISPOSED ADJACENT THE OTHER FACE OF THE FIRST RING, A SECOND INTERENGAGING MEANS ON THE FIRST AND SECOND RINGS ENGAGING UPON RELATIVE ROTATION THEREBETWEEN OF 300 DEGREES AND 360 DEGREES, A MEANS FOR LOCKING THE SECOND RING TO THE HOLLOW MEMBER, MEANS SECURING THE HOLLOW MEMBER AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RINGS TO THE BODY, MEANS POSITIONED IN THE BODY FOR HOLDING A TUBE ONE END OF WHICH IS TO BE FLARED, A MANDREL POSITIONED IN THE BODY FOR FLARING SAID TUBE AND INCLUDING A STEM HAVING A SECTION THEREOF PROVIDED WITH INTERNAL THREADS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INTERNAL THREADS IN THE HOLLOW MEMBER AND CONNECTED TO THE MANDREL AND PROVIDING FRICTION BETWEEN THE THREADS ON THE STEM AND THE HOLLOW CAUSING THE HOLLOW MEMBER TO REVOLVE AND CARRY WITH IT THE SECOND RING AND THE SECOND RING ROTATING UNTIL THE SECOND INTERENGAGING MEANS ENGAGES AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RINGS BOTH ROTATING UNTIL THE FIRST INTERENGAGING MEANS ENGAGES AND CON TINUED ROTATION OF THE STEM CAUSES THE MANDREL TO ENGAGE THE TUBE AND FLARE IT, AND ROTATION OF THE HANDLE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION CAUSING THE MEMBER AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RINGS TO ROTATE IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE STEM AND THE FIRST RING ROTATING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE STEM UNTIL THE FIRST INTERENGAGING MEANS ENGAGES AND THE FIRST RING CEASES ROTATING AND THE SECOND RING AND THE MEMBER CONTINUING TO ROTATE IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE HANDLE WITH THE SECOND INTERENGAGING MEANS DISENGAGING UNTIL THE SECOND INTERENGAGING MEANS AGAIN ENGAGES TO HOLD THE MEMBER AND THE FIRST AND SECOND RINGS STATIONARY TO COMPLETE BURNISHING OF SAID ONE END OF THE TUBE AND CONTINUED ROTATION OF THE STEM IN SAID OPPOSITE DIRECTION CAUSES THE MANDREL TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE SECOND-NAMED MEANS AND SAID ONE END OF THE TUBE. 